Bourne Town beat Northampton ON Chenecks in the FA Vase

Robbie Ellis hit a dramatic late winner as Bourne Town equalled their best-ever run in the FA Vase with victory at Northampton ON Chenecks on Saturday.

Ellis scored in stoppage time to secure a 2-1 away win for the Wakes in a third round clash against their United Counties League Premier Division South hosts.

Goalkeeper Dan Swan had earlier saved a penalty with the game scoreless and also made a superb stop from a free-kick moments before Ellis' winner as Bourne booked a trip to Midland League Division One side Sutton United in the next round.

It was a 10th successive win in all competitions for the Wakes against a Chenecks side who had lost just twice at home all season.

Bourne boss Michael Goode said: "It was a hard-fought win and I never thought that it would be anything different.

"It was a 50/50 game because Chenecks is a tough place to go. We played well but it took us a while to get used to the conditions.

"We seem to be finding a way to win at the moment and we ground it out again on Saturday by having enough in us."

Bourne had started the brighter of the two teams and Zac Allen saw an early effort saved before a cross-shot from Dan Flack went narrowly over the home goal.

Allen fizzed a free-kick just over the crossbar before Zak Munton latched onto a through ball but his volley was well saved.

Chenecks dangerman Lewis Irwin sent a header straight at Swan before the home striker robbed a defender of possession but shot wide as the opening half finished goalless.

The hosts were reduced to 10 men for 10 minutes early in the second half when Ashley Ogden was sin-binned but they had the best chance to take the lead in the 53rd minute.

Raymond Poku was brought down in the area by Brad Marshall but Swan kept Bourne on level terms with an excellent save from Irwin's spot kick.

The Wakes then broke the deadlock just before the hour mark when Munton lofted the ball to the back post where Allen bundled it home.

Allen came close to doubling the lead but was denied by a smart save from home goalkeeper Brad Lashley.

Chenecks then equalised with 15 minutes remaining when Irwin broke the Bourne offside trap before firing his finish past Swan.

Swan then made a brilliant save when Chenecks were awarded a free-kick just outside the area in the final minute or normal time.

And, two minutes later, Bourne netted the winner as Munton's cross to the back post was deftly turned into the path of Ellis by Henry Dunn and the Wakes skipper capped an immense personal performance by turning home the winning goal.

It sparked wild celebrations among the travelling Wakes faithful who made up more than two-thirds of the crowd.

Manager Goode added: "I thought we were good for the first 20 minutes and went back to front really quickly.

"They did what I asked them to do but, as we grew into the game, we started to play too much on a difficult surface and it wasn't the day for doing it.

"It was a day for getting it into the final third and pressing the second ball because, when you give it away, you end up dropping and dropping.

"That did happen and we were defending for longer periods. We did it more in the second half and we've always got that bit of quality up top to get us the goals while Swanny made two brilliant saves at crucial times.

"It was great for the fans to get the win because the travelling support was incredible and we can now just put the cup competitions to bed for a few weeks and get back to concentrating on the league."

Bourne remain in second spot in the United Counties League Premier Division North and return to action on Tuesday night when they host Newark & Sherwood at the JJ Mac Stadium (7.45pm).

Striker Tom Siddons was in the Bourne squad for the first time on Saturday after a spell out injured following his arrival from Stamford.

Goode commented: "It was a welcome sight to have Tom on the bench on Saturday and he's ready to start making an impact now.

"Tom looked good in the warm-up and he's a player who has played some step three football recently and a lot of step four at the top end of that level.

"We are getting a player of quality and experience. His personality fits the team so it's a real bonus to have him around."

After the midweek match, Bourne travel to Sleaford Town on Saturday before a home Boxing Day derby with Harrowby United.